Meetings: Lake Wingra is the saltiest lake in the Madison area—due to years of excessive winter salt use. While salt keeps sidewalks safe, over-application has long-term impacts on water quality. To address this issue, we’re forming a Lake Wingra Winter Salt Working Group to brainstorm practical, community-driven ways to reduce salt use by winter maintenance contractors at […]
Lake Wingra Winter Salt Working Group Read More »
Friday, January 30, 1:30 pm – 3:30 pmUW-Arboretum Visitor Center Come celebrate freshwater ecosystems, learn about smart winter salt practices, and explore citizen science opportunities. Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and come prepared for weather if participating in the optional hike. Free, no registration required. Presented by Friends of Lake Wingra and UW-Arboretum as part of
Water and Winter Salt Workshop Read More »
As 2026 begins, please consider a gift to Friends of Lake Wingra. Your donation – no matter the size – helps protect our beloved lake through education, community action, and clean water initiatives. Every drop counts, and so does every Friend. Stay engaged, join our events, and help keep Lake Wingra healthy for generations to
Did you know that when leaves from city streets wash into Lake Wingra they cause excess Phosphorus to feed algal blooms in the summer? Volunteer to help keep Lake Wingra clean by helping to keep leaves out of the streets before rainfall events this fall. There are three actions you can take to help with
Leaf-free Streets for a Clean Lake Wingra 2025 Read More »
Zebra Mussels and the Future of Lake Wingra by David Ortiz, Board Member Primarily juvenile zebra mussels on an aquatic plant from Lake Mendota 2022. Photo taken by David Ortiz During the yearly removal of docks from Wingra Boats (in Wingra Park) in October 2024, zebra mussels were found for the first time within Lake
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Don’t Judge a Lake by Its Color: Understanding What Water Clarity Really Means Kyungdoe “Doe” Han1,2 1Friends of Lake Wingra, PO Box 45071, Madison, WI 53744 2Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Wisconsin – Madison, 1415 Engineering Dr., Madison, WI 53706 Most people assume that a crystal-clear, blue lake is the ultimate sign
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Photo by Lisa Grueneberg Give back to the lake that gives you hours of recreation all summer! Hop on a Wingra Boats canoe or your own watercraft to pick up trash in the lake as part of your Earth Day celebration. Saturday, April 26, 10am-noonWingra Boats, 824 Knickerbocker St. Co-sponsored by the Friends of Lake Wingra
2025 Lake Wingra Shoreline Cleanup Day Read More »
By David H. Thompson, Vice Chair Hiring staff to help FoLW in 2013 was a big step for us. Before then, Board Members organized programs, but it was hard for them to find sufficient time. Since hiring staff, FoLW has maintained more consistent contact with our partner organizations, including the DNR, Dane County Office of
A Heartfelt Thanks to Casey Hanson Read More »
A survey is now available for you to review different concepts for the Vilas Park Master Plan. The survey will ask for your preferences for the location of the shelter, the future of Vilas Park Drive, the layout of parking, playgrounds, lagoon management, and park amenities. You can also share what concepts you think are missing. If you’d
Questions to Help You Process the Vilas Park Master Plan Concepts Read More »
Allison Martinson Madison, WI 53705allison@aemartinson.comwww.aemartinson.comFacebook: Allison for District 19 What does Lake Wingra mean to you? Last year, I participated in the Duck Dash on Lake Wingra in my first 10K & Kayak event. Having before only seen the beauty of the lake from the beaches near the Henry Vilas Zoo, I greatly appreciated being out
District 19 Alder Candidate Questions Read More »
